CATCHING UP

First off...vacation is wonderful, I love traveling, the drive was near perfect and the visit with family was terrific but THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME! It was really good to begin seeing the mileage signs for Topeka as I crossed the state line. That always gives me a charge. And when I stopped in Yates Center for fuel, the gentleman pumped my gas! It has been years since someone pumped my gas. What a wonderful treat...an early Christmas gift.

Getting home, though always includes a list of catching up To-Do's. First on my want to list was catching up steps 3, 4, 5 & 6 of the RRCB mystery we over at Quiltvillechat are participating in.  Well, I did it.

60 neutral 8 1/2" string blocks 

30 sets of 4 green and neutral twosies plus 4 green matching squares

600 neutral and red squares (from Step 5) sewn into strips of 5 plus 30 red squares

344 QS triangles sewn to the ends of the green and pink threesies (from step1)

WHEW!!

That is a lot of sewing! Also a lot of satisfaction when the last one rolled through my trusty sewing machine.  She deserves a dusting out and a drink of oil after all that hard work.  I gave myself a Triple Whammy Cuppa as a reward.  A Triple Whammy Cuppa is a lovely drink my precious neighbor taught me to make a few years back, Triple whammy because it does these three things...makes the house smell lovely, brings comfort and tastes delish!  It is simple to make...you simply boil 2-3 broken cinnamon sticks in hot water till it is a nice rich color.  Strain it into a big mug, add a splash of milk and sugar (if desired) and enjoy. My neighbor called it Canella Tea and always had a pot going in the winter time.  She would simply add water and cinnamon sticks as needed.  You can usually find the sticks, and they do look like wooden sticks, in the grocery baking aisle but if not there, check the Mexican food section. 

Today I am going to finish up a quilted bag I have started and add to the %'s of finished UFOs over at Stashbusters for the year end totals. Just have to sew the lining to the bag and attached the handles.  I'm also having lunch with a dear friend.  Mexican Food...yummy!!!

Laundry is all caught up, bags are unpacked and put away, Hubby has been hugged and hugged and hugged and Snoops is finally over her mad at me being gone.  She actually joined me in the chair night before last.  Only took her about a week.
Dern cat.  Oh yeah I promised a pic of DGD's engagement ring.  Here it is:

More later.....

SURPRISE!!! & AN IDEA FOR TEEN BOY'S QUILT

I am presently in windy Florida at my daughter's home with my two teen grandchildren.  Such a happy time. I should preface this story with the statement that I do not swear. I used to but one day several years ago I decided I didn't want in my mouth what I wouldn't hold in my hand so I quit. Grandchildren have never heard me swear. Granddaughter came home night before last with her boyfriend of two years and just stood in front of me with a goofy look on her face and her arms folded in front of her. "What?" I said then glancing down I said simply "Oh, sh*t!" A long silent pause followed and then everyone burst out laughing! and hugging! and screaming! She had a gorgeous engagement ring on her finger.  The "Oh, sh*t" was a result of what went thru my mind in a split second of realizing what this meant.  First She is too young (at any age I might think that) second, (quick glance in DD's direction for her reaction) if her mother doesn't know about this, I am leaving for a couple hours till the dust settles and third, oh boy what they are in for. They are young and both still in school.  He in college & she a senior in high school.  Thankfully she had already prepared her mom (Smart girl)...it was me she knew she could trust with the surprise of it.  She is really happy with the young man and I like him a lot.  He is responsible and cares deeply for her in a good healthy way. Boyfriend was astounded but tickled that I had cussed.  A fall wedding is planned so.....probably some work ahead for G'ma!

You know how hard it is to sometimes come up with a quilt pattern that appeals to guys? Well, I'm camping in Grandson's bedroom this trip and was looking around the posters on his wall. Check this one out...

He is a skateboarder and surfer and it seems this emblem is brand recognition for skateboarding. What does that remind you of? Asterick quilt blocks and liberated letters maybe?  Wouldn't that just make a cool quilt for boys...even young men?  Here's his skateboard. There are actually two boards there. I am talking about the top one. He painted the stencil and then did the rest freehand.

Hope this stirs up some quilty ideas for you. I'll post pics of the ring when I take the picture and of the quilt if I decide to give it a GO.

Hugs,

Cheri